PHOENIX, Ariz. — A coalition of state attorneys general, led by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez, and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, will hold the first in a national series of town halls to hear from the public about the impact of federal firings and funding freezes. The first hearing will take place in Phoenix on March 5.
“These reckless firings of Arizonans and arbitrary cuts to critical federal services are outrageous, unacceptable, and deeply infuriating,” Mayes said. “Alongside my fellow attorneys general, I have been fighting to protect jobs, safeguard life-saving services, and ensure Arizonans receive the funding they are owed. Arizonans deserve to be heard—these firings and funding freezes are disrupting lives, straining workplaces, and harming communities and household budgets across the state.”
Attorneys General Speak Out
Attorney General Rayfield of Oregon echoed those concerns, stating, “The firings of many of our federal workers and the mess created by DOGE has created turmoil in people’s lives in Oregon. Jobs are being lost, and critical services are being disrupted because there aren’t enough workers. It’s not right, and we’re doing everything we can to make sure Oregonians get the support and stability they deserve.”
Attorney General Torrez of New Mexico added, “President Trump’s decision to empower an unelected billionaire to access Americans’ private data, slash funding for federal student aid, stop payments to American farmers, and dismantle protections for working families isn’t a display of strength—it’s a direct attack on hardworking Americans. These reckless federal firings and funding freezes aren’t just policy decisions; they have real-life consequences for the families, workers, and communities who depend on these critical services.”
Hearing Details and Public Participation
The Community Impact Hearings will allow members of the public, local officials, non-profits, healthcare professionals, researchers, former federal employees, and other impacted groups to share their experiences.
Speakers will have up to three minutes to provide testimony, and written statements can be submitted at the event or sent via email to [email protected] (Subject: Federal Firing and Funding Freeze Impact).
This initiative seeks to highlight the human cost of recent federal decisions and push for greater accountability at the national level. More hearings will be announced in other states in the coming weeks.
